Image projection lighting device with variable homogeneity

ABSTRACT

An image projection lighting device is provided which includes a variable homogenizing system. The variable homogenizing system may homogenize light projected by a lamp across a light valve. The variable homogenizing system may vary the light across the light valve from an existing state to a first state or from an existing state to a second state. The variable homogenizing system may be comprised of one or more lens arrays, which may be comprised of cylindrical or spherical lenses.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to image projection lighting devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lighting systems in the prior art are typically formed byinterconnecting, via a communications system, a plurality of lightingfixtures and providing for operator control of the plurality of lightingfixtures from a central controller. Such lighting systems may containmultiparameter light fixtures, which illustratively are light fixtureshaving two or more individually remotely adjustable parameters such asfocus, color, image, position, or other light characteristics.Multiparameter lighting fixtures are widely used in the lightingindustry because they facilitate significant reductions in overalllighting system size and permit dynamic changes to the final lightingeffect. Applications and events in which multiparameter lightingfixtures are used to great advantage include showrooms, televisionlighting, stage lighting, architectural lighting, live concerts, andtheme parks. Illustrative multi-parameter light devices are described inthe product brochure entitled “The High End Systems Product Line 2001”and are available from High End Systems, Inc. of Austin, Tex.

A variety of different types of multiparameter light fixtures areavailable. One type of advanced multiparameter lighting fixture is animage projection lighting device (“IPLD”). Image projection lightingdevices of the prior art typically use a light valve or light valves toproject images onto a stage or other projection surface. A light valve,which is also known as an image gate, is a device for example such as adigital micro-mirror (“DMD”) or a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) thatforms the image that is projected. Either a transmissive or a reflectivetype light valve may be used. U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,958, issued May 2,2000 to Hunt, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a pixel basedgobo record control format for storing gobo images in the memory of alight fixture. The gobo images can be recalled and modified fromcommands sent by a control console. A pixel based gobo image is a gobo(or a projection pattern) created by a light valve like a videoprojection of sorts. U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,868, issued Nov. 3, 1998 toHutton, incorporated by reference herein, discloses storing video framesas cues locally in a lamp, and supplying them as directed to an imagegate to produce animated and real-time imaging. A single frame can alsobe manipulated through processing to produce multiple variations.Alternatively, a video communication link can be employed to supplycontinuous video from a remote source.

IPLDs of the prior art use light from a projection lamp that is sentthrough a light valve and focused by an output lens to project images ona stage or a projection surface. The control of the various parametersof the IPLDs is affected by an operator using a central controller. In agiven application, a plurality of IPLDs are used to illuminate theprojection surface, with each IPLD having many parameters that may beadjusted by a central controller to create a scene.

IPLDs used in an entertainment lighting system can produce many colorfulimages upon the stage or projection surface. IPLDs may project imagesonto the projection surface such as still images, video images andgraphic images. The term “content” is a general term that refers tovarious types of creative works, including image-type works and audioworks. Content is typically comprised of still images, video images orloops and computer graphical images.

The Catalyst (trademarked) DL1 image projection lighting devicemanufactured by High End Systems of Austin Tex. incorporates a videoprojector into an environmentally protective housing that can beremotely positioned to projected images to different locations upon thestage or projection surface. A personal computer is used as a serverthat provides the images to the DL1. A lighting controller sends commandsignals over a communication system to control the selection of imagesfrom the server to the projector as well as control the variousfunctions of the DL1 and the position of the image on the projectionsurface.

IPLDs may project images such as video images or still images or theymay project only light with no image. The projection of images by IPLDsis useful in creating a visual scene on the projection surface that cancreate an animation or a representation of objects. The projection ofonly light with no image on the projection surface such as white lightor colored light is useful in providing illumination of the projectionsurface. Most often when illumination of the projection surface withoutimages is required, the intensity of the illumination should be uniformacross the projection surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,188,933 to Hewlett discloses “Another possible DMDeffect is the simulation of a beam field distribution or profile, e.g.,a cosine shaped profile for the spotlight.” The inventors in Hewlettrecognized that spotlights are often overlapped with other spotlights attheir edges. The area of overlap can cause a bright spot at those edges.The DMD is used to form a spotlight with edge portions that haveintensities that are lower than the intensity in the center of the beam.The rate of intensity drop off is preferably a cosine function. In thisway, when the two edge portions of two spotlights are placed one overthe other, the overlap does not appear to be overly bright. However,such variable profiles will not be desired in all situations. A variablebrightness profile will be desired in situations where multiple beamswill be overlapping at their edges. However, other effects, such asilluminating a gobo, will be better illuminated using flat intensityprofiles.”

A description of an invention for automatically adjusting the brightnessuniformity of a plurality of image projection lighting devices isdisclosed in U.S. patent application “IMAGE PROJECTION LIGHTING DEVICESWITH PROJECTION FIELD LIGHT INTENSITY UNIFORMITY ADJUSTMENT” Ser. No.10/319,366, filed on Dec. 13, 2002, by the inventor Richard S.Belliveau, incorporated by reference herein.

Varying the brightness profile on the projection surface by reducing theamount of light transmitted by or reflected from a light valve of animage projection lighting device is effective however only at theexpense of an overall reduction of the light output or lumens onto theprojection surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in one or more embodiments provides an apparatusincluding an image projection lighting device. The image projectionlighting device may be comprised of a base, a yoke, and a lamp housing.The lamp housing may be comprised of a lamp and a first light valve. Theimage projection lighting device may be further comprised of acommunications port, a processing system, and a memory.

In one or more embodiments the image projection lighting device mayinclude a variable homogenizing system. The variable homogenizing systemmay homogenize light projected by the lamp across the first light valve.The variable homogenizing system may vary the light across the lightvalve from an existing state to a first state or from an existing stateto a second state. The variable homogenizing system may be comprised ofone or more lens arrays, which may be comprised of cylindrical orspherical lenses. The communications port of the image projectionlighting device can receive a command to vary the variable homogenizingsystem from the existing state into the first state.

A stand-alone control system may be provided. The stand-alone controlsystem can receive a command to vary the variable homogenizing systemfrom the existing state into the first state. The communications portcan receive a first operating address and the first operating addresscan be compared to a second operating address contained in the memory ofthe image projection lighting device. The communications port canreceive a command to vary the variable homogenizing system from anexisting state to a first state or second state.

The variable homogenizing system may vary the uniformity of the lightprojected by the lamp across the first light valve. An actuator may beprovided to vary the variable homogenizing system. The actuator may becontrolled by signals sent from a motor control system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a lamp housing, a base housing and the components thereinfor an image projection lighting device (“IPLD”) in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an external view of the image projection lighting device;

FIG. 3 shows a lighting system using two IPLDs of an embodiment of thepresent invention and a central controller;

FIG. 4A shows a top view of a cylindrical lens array;

FIG. 4B shows a side view of a homogenizing system including thecylindrical lens array of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A shows a top view of a spherical lens array;

FIG. 5B shows a side view of a homogenizing system including thespherical lens array of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A shows a variable homogenizing system positioned to vary thehomogeneity of light emitted by a lamp to a first state;

FIG. 6B shows the variable homogenizing system of FIG. 6A positioned tovary the homogeneity of the light emitted by a lamp to a second state;

FIG. 7A shows a front view of the surface of a light valve with a firstlight distribution;

FIG. 7B shows the light valve of FIG. 7A but with a second lightdistribution;

FIG. 8A shows a lamp with a plasma light source located in a firstposition; and

FIG. 8B shows the lamp with the plasma light source of FIG. 8A locatedin a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout thespecification and drawings with the same reference numerals,respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certainfeatures of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or insomewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements maynot be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The presentinvention is susceptible to embodiments of different forms. There areshown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, specificembodiments of the present invention with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention, and is not intended to limit the inventionto that illustrated and described herein. It is to be fully recognizedthat the different teachings of the embodiments discussed below may beemployed separately or in any suitable combination to produce thedesired results.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present inventionshowing components within or part of the base housing 210 and within orpart of the lamp housing 230 of IPLD 102. FIG. 1 also shows the centralcontroller 150. An electronic control system 327 can be contained in thebase housing 210. The electronic control system 327 is comprised of atleast a processing system such as processor 316. The processor 316 maybe made up of discrete electronic parts or the processor 316 may be madeup of several processors. The components within or part of the basehousing 210 include a communications port (shown as “comm port”) 311, aconnection point 211, an image control 312, a memory 315, amicroprocessor or processor 316, a motor control 318, a power supply 320and a lamp power supply 321. A bearing 225 is shown rotatably connectingthe lamp housing 230 to the base housing 210, in FIG. 1, i.e. bearing225 connects the lamp housing 230 to the base housing 210 so that thelamp housing 230 can rotate with respect to the base housing 210.Although only one bearing 225 is shown for simplification more than onebearing may rotatably connect the lamp housing 230 to the base housing210. A display device 324 is also shown within or connected to the basehousing 210. The display device 324 may be a display for alphanumericcharacters or a video display capable of displaying video images. Thedisplay device 324 may also be a touch screen display that accepts inputcommands. An input keypad 325 is also shown within or connected to thebase housing 210. The input keypad 325 together with the display device324 can be called a stand-alone control system 326. The stand-alonecontrol system 326 can be used to enter data and or to control theparameters of the IPLD 102. The stand-alone control system may only becomprised of the display device 324.

The components within or part of the lamp housing 230 include the lamp366 that projects a white light to a variable homogenizing system 362.The variable homogenizing system 362 is located to vary the homogeneityof the light produced by the lamp 366 before it is acted upon by thelight valves 375, 376 and 377. The variable homogenizing system 362 maybe operated to vary the homogeneity of the light being emitted from thelamp 366 by a motor or actuator 361. The motor may be sent drivingsignals by the motor control system 318. The variable homogenizingsystem 362 may be constructed of one or more lens arrays and the lensesof the arrays may be spherical or cylindrical or use a combination ofboth shapes. One manufacturer of lens arrays is Thermo Oriel(trademarked) of Stanford Conn. At least two lens arrays may be usedwith the first lens array being used to condense the light emitted fromthe lamp 366 and the second lens array being used to collimate thecondensed light created by the first lens array. Either of the first orthe second lens arrays may also be called a fly's eye lens. Althoughonly one motor 361 is shown for automating the variable homogenizingsystem 362, several motors may be used.

The light homogenized by the variable homogenizing system 362 isdirected towards a red color separation filter 371. The red colorseparation filter 371 reflects red light from the white light created bythe lamp 366 and the variable homogenizing system 362 to a reflectingmirror 379 where it is directed to a red light valve 375 and the imagedred light passes to a color combining system 369. Blue green lightpasses though the red color separation filter 371 and is directed to agreen color separation filter 372 that in turn reflects green light to agreen light valve 376 that passes imaged green light to the colorcombining system 369. The green separation filter 372 passes blue lightthat is sent to a blue separation filter 373 and the blue light isreflected off the blue separation filter 373 and passed to a reflector378. The reflector 378 reflects the blue light to a blue light valve 377where the imaged blue light is directed to the color combining system369. The order of the color separation filters may be different. Colorcombining system 369 combines the imaged red, green and blue light thathas been imaged by the red, green and blue light valves 375, 376 and 377respectively and passes the multicolored lighted images to a zoom andfocus lens 368 where it is directed through the aperture 240 in thedirection of arrow 380 to the projection surface 420. The red, blue andgreen light valves 375, 376 and 377 respectively, are controlled toproduce images by the image control 312. The image control 312 can be avideo graphics card with a memory and a graphics processor.

The central controller 150 outputs address and control commands over acommunications system, which may include communications interface 138.The communications interface 138 is connected to the communications port311 by communications line 142 and connection point 211 as shown inFIG. 1. The communications port 311 may be a part of the processor 316.The communications port 311 can be any device capable of receiving thecommunication sent over the communications system. The communicationsinterface 138 may be a router or hub as known in the communications art.The communications interface 138 may not be required for somecommunications systems.

The image control 312 of the electronics housing 210 provides controlsignals to the light valves 375, 376, and 377 in the lamp housing 230.The microprocessor 316 in the electronics housing 210 provides controlsignals to the image control 312. The microprocessor 316 is shownelectrically connected to the memory 315. The memory 315 stores thesoftware operating system for the IPLD 102 and possibly different typesof electronic image content used to form pixel mapped images at theimage control 312. The pixel-mapped images are used by the image controlto provide the control signals to the light valves 375, 376 and 377. Thelight valves shown as 375, 376 and 377 are shown as transmissive typelight valves where light from the projection lamp 366 is directed to thelight valves to be transmitted through the light valves 375, 376 and 377to the lens 368. As known in the prior art, a light valve can be areflective light valve where light from the projection lamp 366 isdirected to the light valves 375, 376 and 377 to be reflected from thelight valves 375, 376, and 377 to the lens 368.

The motor control 318 is electrically connected to the motors oractuators such as the motor actuator 361 The electrical connection toall the motors is not shown for simplification. The motors may bestepping motors, servomotors, solenoids or any other type of actuators.The motor control 318 provides the driving signals to the motors thatmay be used with the lens 368, the variable homogenizing system actuator361 and for pan and tilt motors (not shown for simplification).

The motor control 318 is electrically connected to receive controlsignals from the microprocessor 316. Two power supplies are shown inFIG. 1. A power supply 320 is shown for supplying energy to the motorsand may also supply power to the electronic components. A lamp powersupply 321 is shown for supplying power to the main projection lightsource or lamp 366. The lamp power supply 321 may be signaled by theprocessor 316 to control the lamp 366 to be on, off or vary the power tothe lamp. The lamp power supply 321 may send signals to the processor316 as to the condition of the lamp such as on, off or if there is afault condition. The processor 316 may keep track of the number of hoursthat the light source or lamp 366 is illuminated so that datarepresenting the total hours of illumination of the lamp 366 can bestored in the memory 316.

The IPLD 102 may include at least two different housings, such as thebase or electronics housing 210 and the lamp housing 230 to facilitateremote positioning of the lamp housing 230 in relation to the basehousing 210. The lamp housing 230 contains the optical components usedto project light images upon a stage or projection surface 420 from thelens 368 in the direction of arrow 380, outwards from the IPLD 102. Thelamp housing 230 may be connected to a bearing mechanism 225 thatfacilitates pan and tilting of the lamp housing 230 in relation to thebase or electronics housing 210. The bearing mechanism 225 is shownsimplified. The motors that would be used for pan and tilt are not shownfor simplification.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of an image projection lighting device 102incorporating one or more embodiments of the present invention. The IPLD102 includes a base or electronics housing 210, a yoke 220, and a lamphousing 230. The IPLDs 102 and 104 of FIG. 3 may each be identical tothe IPLD 102 of FIG. 2.

The base housing 210 of the IPLD 102 includes a communicationsconnection 211 for electrically connecting a communications line, suchas communications line 142 shown in FIG. 3. The yoke 220 is physicallyconnected to the housing 210 by a bearing 225, which allows the yoke 220to pan or rotate in relation to the base or electronics housing 210. Thelamp housing 230 is rotatably connected to the yoke 220 (bearings notshown for simplification). The lamp housing 230 typically containsoptical components and light valves. An exit aperture 240 is shown forprojecting lighted images from a projection lamp, such as a lamp 366shown in FIG. 1. The projection lamp 366 shown in FIG. 1 is shown as asingle lamp but it is known in the art to use two or more projectionlamps working as a single projection lamp. IPLD 102 is shown with aseparate base housing 210 and a lamp housing 230, however it is known inthe art to produce an IPLD with a single housing using a mirror toposition the projected light.

FIG. 3 shows a lighting system 400 that includes IPLDs 102 and 104.IPLDs 102 and 104 may each be functionally the same as IPLD 102 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Although only two IPLDs are shown for the lighting system400 as many as one hundred or more IPLDs can be used to create a show.The central controller 150 has a keyboard entry device 154 and inputdevices 156 to allow an operator to input commands for controlling theIPLDs 102 and 104. The central controller 150 has a visual displaymonitor 152 so the operator can see the details of the show that theoperator programs on the central controller 150.

Lines 102 a and 102 b of FIG. 3 represent the projection field of IPLD102 as lighting images are projected upon the projection surface 420.Lines 104 a and 104 b of FIG. 3 represent the projection field of IPLD104 as lighting images are projected upon the projection surface 420.

The commands entered by the operator of the central controller 150 aresent over a communications system using communications lines 136, 142,146 and communications interface 138 to the IPLDs 102 and 104 of FIG. 3.Each IPLD has an operating address that is different than the operatingaddress of other IPLDs so that the operator can command a specific IPLDfrom a plurality of IPLDs. The operating address of a specific IPLD canbe stored in the memory 315 or stored as a function of the input keypad325. The desired operating address of a specific IPLD the operatorwishes to control is input into the central controller 150 by inputtingto the keyboard 154 or other input device of the central controller 150.The desired operating address is sent over the communication system bythe central controller 150 where it is received by the plurality ofIPLDs 102 and 104. A receiving IPLD, such as IPLD 102, receives thedesired operating address at the communications port 311 of FIG. 1. Thereceived operating address is compared with the operating address storedin the memory 315 of FIG. 1 and if the received operating addressmatches the operating address stored in the memory 315, of IPLD 102, forexample, then next the IPLD 102 is ready to receive commands from thecentral controller 150. Once the desired IPLD has been addressed by theoperator of the central controller 150 the operator may next sendcommands to select a first image or vary the other parameters of theaddressed IPLD. One of the parameters varied may be a uniformityparameter. The images that are selected by the operator that can beprojected by the IPLD 102 can originate from the central controller 150or the content may originate from the memory 315 of FIG. 1.

A description of the operation of communication systems for imageprojection lighting devices can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,605,907titled “Method, apparatus and system for image projection lighting”issued Aug. 12, 2003 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,756 titled “Method andapparatus for digital communications with multiparameter light fixtures”issued on Dec. 18, 2001 inventor Richard S. Belliveau, each incorporatedby reference herein.

FIG. 4A shows a top view of a cylindrical lens array 400 a. FIG. 4Bshows a side view of the cylindrical lens array 400 a and a side view ofa cylindrical lens array 400 b. The lens array 400 a and the lens array400 b may make up homogenizing system 400. Sections 400 a and 400 b maybe constructed similarly.

FIG. 5A shows a top view of a spherical lens array 500 a. FIG. 5B showsa side view of the spherical lens array 500 a and a side view of aspherical lens array 500 b. The lens array 500 a and the lens array 500b may make up homogenizing system 500. Sections 500 a and 500 b may beconstructed similarly. FIG. 6A shows further details of the variablehomogenizing system 362. The variable homogenizing system 362 isconstructed of homogenizing systems 400 for FIG. 4B and 500 of FIG. 5B.A motor or actuator 361 is comprised of a lead screw assembly 361 a forlinear movement of the homogenizing systems 400 and 500. Homogenizingsystems 400 and 500 may be bonded together in any suitable way such asoptical cement. The lead screw assembly 361 a may attach to thehomogenizing systems 400 and 500. The lead screw assembly 361 a inconjunction with the motor 361 can change the position of thehomogenizing systems 400 and 500 with reference to the lamp 366.

FIG. 6A shows arrows 366 a and 366 b representing light projected by thelamp 366. Arrows 366 c and 366 d represent light from the lamp 366 thathas been homogenized to a first state by use homogenizing system 400.

FIG. 6B shows the lead screw assembly 361 a in a different state pushingthe homogenizing system 400 out of the path of the light from the lamp366 as represented by arrows 366 a and 366 b. FIG. 6B shows thathomogenizing system 500 is now positioned in the path of the light fromthe lamp 366 as represented by arrows 366 a and 366 b. Arrows 366 e and366 f represent light from the lamp 366 that has been homogenized to asecond state by use of homogenizing system 500.

As known in the art, most light valves either reflective, transmissivehave an aspect ratio of 4:3. When an IPLD projects images on a stage orother projection surface an image in an aspect ratio of 4:3 may notalways be desirable. Sometimes it is desirable to project a circularimage. When a light valve of a 4:3 aspect ratio is used to project around image the areas to the outside of the circular image of the lightvalve are in a light blocking state. Unfortunately a large portion ofthe light projected toward the 4:3 aspect ratio light valve is wastedwhen projecting round images.

The homogenizing system 400 of FIG. 4B is used for shaping the lightprojected by the lamp 366 into a rectangular pattern of light with gooduniformity or homogeneity across the light valve 375 of FIG. 1. Thehomogenizing system 500 of FIG. 5B is used for shaping the lightprojected by the lamp 366 into a circular pattern of light with gooduniformity or homogeneity within the light valve 375.

FIG. 7A shows light valve 375 with six reference points 602 a, 602 b,602 c, 602 d, 602 e, and 602 f that indicate the percentage of lightintensity across the light valve 375 when the variable homogenizingsystem 362 of FIG. 6A is in a first state. The light valve 375 is showndivided into four quadrants 610 a, 610 b, 610 c and 610 d. Only theillumination uniformity of quadrant 610 a is shown for simplificationhowever the illumination uniformity of quadrants 610 b, 610 c and 610 dwould be similar to that of quadrant 610 a. The homogeneity of the lightacross light valve 375 is created by the homogenizing system 400 of thevariable homogenizing system 362 as shown in FIG. 6A while the variablehomogenizing system 362 is in the first state. The light projected bythe lamp 366 and homogenized by the variable homogenizing system 362 inthe first state allows for good uniformity of the light across the 4:3aspect ratio light valve 375.

FIG. 7B shows light valve 375 with six reference points 602 a, 602 b,602 c, 602 d, 602 e, and 602 f that indicate the percentage of lightintensity across the light valve 375 when the variable homogenizingsystem 362 of FIG. 6B is in the second state. The light valve 375 isshown divided into four quadrants 610 a, 610 b, 610 c and 610 d. Onlythe illumination uniformity of quadrant 610 a is shown forsimplification however the illumination uniformity of quadrants 610 b,610 c and 610 d would be similar to that of quadrant 610 a. Thehomogeneity of the light across light valve 375 is created by thehomogenizing system 500 of the variable homogenizing system 362 as shownin FIG. 6B while the variable homogenizing system 362 is in the secondstate. A dashed circular line is shown within the light valve 375 ofFIG. 7B. When an IPLD such as IPLD 102 projects a circular image, thearea inside of the dashed circular line 605 is used to form theprojected image. The remaining area across the light valve 375 that isshown outside of the circular line 605 is not used for the projection oflight by the IPLD 102. With the variable homogenizing system 362 in thesecond state as shown by FIG. 6B the uniformity of the light projectedby the lamp 366 is varied from the uniformity shown by FIG. 6A. More ofthe light projected by the lamp 366 is contained within the dashedcircular line 605 and less of the light projected by the lamp 366 iswasted to the areas outside of the dashed circular line 605. Since thebrightness across the light valve 375 drops off rapidly outside of thedashed circular line 605 when the variable homogenizing system 362 is inthe second state there is an improvement to the black levels to thoseareas outside of the dashed circular line 605 when the IPLD, such asIPLD 102, projects only a circular image.

An operator of the central controller 150 of FIG. 3 may enter a commandby using the keyboard or entry device 154 or input devices 156 to varythe variable homogenizing system of an IPLD such as variablehomogenizing system 362 of the IPLD 102. First the operator enters thecorrect operating address of the IPLD 102 followed by a vary homogeneity(also can be referred to as vary uniformity) command. The address andcommand is sent over the communications system, which may be comprisedof lines 136, communications interface 138 and lines 142 and 146. If theIPLD 102 receives the correct address, it will next respond to the varyhomogenizing system command. Since the operating address of the IPLDs102 and IPLD 104 can be different, each IPLD may vary the states of it'sassociated variable homogenizing system as desired.

When an operator wishes to project a rectangular image onto theprojection surface 420 of FIG. 3 from the IPLD 102, the operator mayinput a command to the central controller 150 to place the variablehomogenizing system 362 into a first state as shown by FIG. 6A.

When an operator wishes to project a round image onto the projectionsurface 420 of FIG. 3 from the IPLD 102, the operator may input acommand to the central controller 150 to place the variable homogenizingsystem 362 into a second state as shown by FIG. 6B.

An operator may also vary the variable homogenizing system 362 of theIPLD 102 by inputting the appropriate commands into the stand-alonecontrol system 326 shown in FIG. 1

The variable homogenizing system 362 is shown preferably constructed ofcylindrical lenses and spherical lens arrays. The variable homogenizingsystem 362 may also be constructed of only cylindrical lens componentsthat can be rotated perpendicular to each other to create a circularlight distribution. Although the variable homogenizing system 362 isshown linearly actuated, it is possible to vary the position of lensarrays, such as the lens arrays 400 a, 400 b, 500 a or 500 b into thelight path using an indexing wheel. It is also possible to remotelyposition the lenses or lens arrays in relation to each other and thelamp 366 with the result of changing the magnification.

It is further possible to change the location of plasma light source orlight source located in the lamp reflector thus varying the lightuniformity across the light valve. FIG. 8A shows a plasma light source801 a of the lamp 366 located in a first position in reference to a lampreflector 805. Arrows 810 a and 810 b represent the light projected bythe lamp 366 with the plasma light source 801 a in the first positionwith reference to the lamp reflector 805. FIG. 8B shows the plasma lightsource 801 a of the lamp 366 located in a second position in referenceto the lamp reflector 805. Arrows 810 c and 810 d represent the lightprojected by the lamp 366 with the plasma light source 801 a in thesecond position with reference to the lamp reflector 805.

1. A stage lighting apparatus comprising an image projection lightingdevice comprising: a base; a lamp housing; wherein the lamp housing isremotely positioned in relation to the base by a motor; the lamp housingcomprising a lamp; and a first light valve; and a variable homogenizingsystem; wherein the lamp creates a first light that is directed towardthe variable homogenizing system; and wherein the variable homogenizingsystem homogenizes the first light to create a second light.
 2. Thestage lighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second light is directedtowards the first light valve.
 3. The stage lighting apparatus of claim2 wherein the variable homogenizing system varies the second lightacross the light valve from an existing state to a first state.
 4. Thestage lighting apparatus of claim 3 wherein the variable homogenizingsystem varies the second light across the light valve from the existingstate to a second state.
 5. The stage lighting apparatus of claim 3further comprising a communication port; wherein the communications portreceives a command to vary the variable homogenizing system from theexisting state into the first state.
 6. The stage lighting apparatus ofclaim 3 further comprising a stand-alone control system; wherein thestand-alone control system receives a command to vary the variablehomogenizing system from the existing state into the first state.
 7. Thestage lighting apparatus of claim 3 wherein the variable homogenizingsystem is comprised of one or more lens arrays.
 8. The stage lightingapparatus at claim 7 wherein at least one of the one or more lens arraysis comprised of a plurality of cylindrical lenses.
 9. The stage lightingapparatus of claim 7 wherein at least one of the one or more lens arraysis comprised of a plurality of spherical lenses.
 10. A stage lightingapparatus comprising an image projection lighting device comprising: acommunication port; a processor; a memory; a base; a lamp housing;wherein the lamp housing is remotely positioned in relation to the baseby a motor; the lamp housing comprising a lamp, and a first light valve;and a variable homogenizing system; wherein the communication portreceives a first operating address and wherein the first operatingaddress can be compared to a second operating address contained in thememory of the image projection lighting device; wherein thecommunication port receives a command to vary the variable homogenizingsystem; from an existing state to a first state.
 11. The stage lightingapparatus of claim 10 wherein the variable homogenizing system iscomprised of two different lens types.
 12. The stage lighting apparatusof claim 10 wherein the variable homogenizing system varies theuniformity of the light projected by the lamp across the light valve.13. The stage lighting apparatus of claim 12 further comprising anactuator and wherein the variable homogenizing system is varied by anactuator.
 14. The stage lighting apparatus of claim 13 furthercomprising a motor control system and wherein the actuator is varied bysignals sent by the motor control system.
 15. A stage lighting systemcomprising a plurality of image projection lighting devices; and acentral controller; wherein each of the image projection lightingdevices comprises: a base; a communication port; and a lamp housing;wherein the lamp housing is remotely positioned in relation to the baseby a motor; the lamp housing comprising: a lamp; and a light valve; andeach of the image projection lighting devices further comprising aprocessing system; a memory; and a device for creating variableuniformity of light intensity across the light valve; wherein each ofthe plurality of image projection lighting devices have a uniformity oflight intensity across its light valve varied independently by a commandreceived over the communication port from the central controller. 16.The stage lighting system of claim 15 wherein the variable uniformity oflight intensity across the light valve is created by a variablehomogenizing system and the variable homogenizing system varies thelight intensity across the light valve from an existing state to a firststate.
 17. The stage lighting system of claim 16 wherein the variablehomogenizing system is comprised of a first and a second type of lens.18. The stags lighting system of claim 17 wherein the first type of lensis cylindrical; the second type of lens is spherical.